Spots to be Sharks' fourth line center, seventh defenseman might be the only ones remaining

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San Jose Sharks’ Ivan Chekhovich (82) fights for the puck against Anaheim Ducks’ Marcus Pettersson (28) in the first period for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks’ Ivan Chekhovich (82) fights for the puck against Anaheim Ducks’ Marcus Pettersson (28) in the first period for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks’ Ryan Merkley (6) takes a shot against Anaheim Ducks’ Francois Beauchemin (23) in the first period for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks’ Lukas Radil (52) fights for the puck against Anaheim Ducks’ Marcus Pettersson (28) in the first period for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks’ Lukas Radil (52) reacts to a missed scoring opportunity against the Anaheim Ducks in the first period for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks’ Lukas Radil (52) controls the puck against Anaheim Ducks’ Deven Sideroff (80) in the first period for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Sharks forward Lukas Radil (52) fights for the puck against Anaheim Ducks’ Deven Sideroff (80) in the first period of their preseason game at SAP Center in San Jose on Tuesday. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks’ Barclay Goodrow (23) fights for the puck against Anaheim Ducks’ Marcus Pettersson (28) in the first period for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks’ Dylan Gambrell (14) controls the puck against Anaheim Ducks’ Brandon Montour (26) in the second period for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks’ Tomas Hertl (48) can’t get a shot past Anaheim Ducks goaltender Jared Coreau (31) in the second period for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Sharks center Rourke Chartier (60) is congratulated by Ivan Chekhovich (82) on his goal against the Anaheim Ducks in the second period of their preseason game at SAP Center in San Jose on Tuesday. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks’ Ivan Chekhovich (82) skates past Anaheim Ducks’ Luke Schenn (2) in the second period for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks’ Ivan Chekhovich (82) is congratulated on his goal by San Jose Sharks’ Rourke Chartier (60) and San Jose Sharks’ Barclay Goodrow (23) against the Anaheim Ducks in the second period for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks’ Ryan Merkley (6) controls the puck against the Anaheim Ducks in the second period for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks’ Marcus Sorensen (20) skates on the ice following their 4-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks’ Brenden Dillon (4) takes a shot against the Anaheim Ducks in the second period for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks’ Tomas Hertl (48) slips the puck through the legs of Anaheim Ducks’ Brandon Montour (26) in the second period for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks’ Barclay Goodrow (23) waits for a face-off against the Anaheim Ducks in the first period for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks’ Tomas Hertl (48) reacts to a blocked shot against the Anaheim Ducks in the second period for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks’ Marcus Sorensen (20) controls the puck against Anaheim Ducks’ Ryan Getzlaf (15) in the first period for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks’ Marcus Sorensen (20) high-fives San Jose Sharks’ Tomas Hertl (48) following their 4-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks’ Ivan Chekhovich (82) fights for the puck against Anaheim Ducks’ Marcus Pettersson (28) in the first period for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks’ Joonas Donskoi (27) waves to someone in the crowd during their game against the Anaheim Ducks before the start of the second period for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks’ Barclay Goodrow (23) controls the puck against the Anaheim Ducks in the third period for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks’ Vincent Praplan (41) clears the puck against the Anaheim Ducks in the third period for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Anaheim Ducks’ Marcus Pettersson (28) is called for tripping against San Jose Sharks’ Rourke Chartier (60) in the third period for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks’ Brenden Dillon (4) talks to a referee during their game against the Anaheim Ducks in the third period for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks’ Marcus Sorensen (20) tries to control the puck against Anaheim Ducks’ Antoine Morand (54) in the third period for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks’ Barclay Goodrow (23) talks to a referee during their game against the Anaheim Ducks in the first period for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks’ Dylan Gambrell (14) takes a shot against Anaheim Ducks’ Corey Tropp (41) in the third period for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Anaheim Ducks goaltender Kevin Boyle (40) looks for the puck after losing his helmet against the San Jose Sharks in the third period for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks’ Marcus Sorensen (20) waits for a face-off against the Anaheim Ducks in the first period for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks’ Marcus Sorensen (20) controls the puck against Anaheim Ducks’ Troy Terry (61) in the second period for their preseason game at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

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SAN JOSE — The Sharks reduced their training camp roster to 28 players Sunday, sending 15 players to the Barracuda and forward Jake McGrew back to Spokane of the Western Hockey League.

Three junior players — defenseman Ryan Merkley, the 21st overall pick in this year’s entry draft, forward Sasha Chmelevski, the Sharks’ sixth round pick last year, and goalie Zachary Emond, a sixth-rounder this year, remain in camp. But they will all be sent back to the CHL at some point, possibly after Tuesday’s preseason game in Calgary.

The Sharks resume practice Wednesday morning, with the competition for the final few roster spots ramping up even further. NHL teams have to be down to 23 players by Oct. 2, the day before they open the regular season.

Here’s a look at who remains in camp, and what competitions are still ongoing with just three preseason games remaining.

ANALYSIS: The competitions to be the Sharks third and fourth line centers are still ongoing, but Suomela has largely been what the Sharks had hoped he would be — a smart, two-way player who can make his linemates better. Suomela was held off the scoresheet in 12 minutes in Saturday’s game with Vegas, and his possession numbers weren’t great, but he wasn’t on the ice for any of the Golden Knights’ goals.

The Sharks could still have Tomas Hertl center the third line, but he looked quite comfortable on Logan Couture’s left side again Saturday and it would be hard to imagine Pete DeBoer breaking that up unless he felt he absolutely had to. Suomela’s the guy, as far as I can see.

I think it’s also fair to say the fourth line center role is Rourke Chartier’s to lose at this point. Dylan Gambrell is still in the mix, and he centered a line with Melker Karlsson and Marcus Sorensen on Sunday. But Chartier has made more things happen in camp, and is second on the team — behind Goodrow — in both points (four) and plus-minus (six).

So with Chmelevski not in the mix for a winger spot, the decision on who will be the fourth line center on opening night Oct. 3 is really the only one left among the forward group, assuming the Sharks keep 14 out of camp.

Sharks defenseman Radim Simek (51) still has a chance to make San Jose’s roster for the start of the regular season. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

ANALYSIS: The only defenseman still in camp who is on an entry-level contracts is Joakim Ryan. He’s not going anywhere, and could very well start the season as Brent Burns’ partner, like he was for most of last year. So unless the Sharks keep eight defenseman, the competition to be the seventh defenseman comes down to Radim Simek and Tim Heed — as was predicted at the start of camp.

There hasn’t been a ton of separation between the two. Heed has two assists in three games and Simek has a goal and an assist. Heed was used on the second defense pair when the Sharks practiced their power play Sunday morning, and is the more offensive option. Simek is the more physical player, and he’s a great skater. The Sharks know what Heed is about, while Simek’s ability to play in the NHL a more of a mystery. Their possession numbers are similar.

When they dress Tuesday, that’s the time each player has to make a move and be a force. The Sharks will recall a few of the players they just sent down for that game, so Heed and Simek will get all kinds of chances to show what they can do. Both players must clear waivers if the Sharks want to send them back to the AHL.

ANALYSIS: Nothing complicated. Jones and Dell are nos. 1 and 2 and Bibeau will be the No. 1 goalie for the Barracuda. Bibeau, though, did show on Tuesday that he can be a capable backup should anything happen to Jones or Dell this season. He could see some more action Tuesday in Calgary or Sept. 30 in Las Vegas. Emond will return to the QMJHL.